Please note that the below information is of a general nature and visa requirements can change, so it’s always best to check with your local embassy or consulate before travelling. If you’re unsure of your visa requirements or need further help just contact us.
The visa you choose will depend on the country you are from, how long you’d like to stay in Australia and whether you plan to work here. Here are your options:
– Tourist Visa
– 12-month Working Holiday Visa – Ages 18 – 30 years old (or up to 35 depending on your nationality) – Check your eligibility for the Australian Working Holiday Visa here.
For tourist visas or other visa options, please visit: Australian Home Office.
In some cases, yes, and the process is very easy! Citizens of 41 different nationalities, including Australia, NZ, USA, UK and most of Europe, can enter Thailand without a pre-arranged visa. This ‘visa exemption’ allows you to stay 30 days when entering Thailand by air, and 15 days when crossing into Thailand by land. Without proof of an onward ticket and sufficient funds for your expected stay any visitor can be denied entry, but in practice this is a formality that is rarely checked.
Check out our guide to get a visa for Thailand: here.
If you are looking into our Grabatour Vietnam trip then this should point you into the right direction on how to get a visa for travel in Vietnam.
There are 3 options to obtain your visa:
Option 1: Apply in person or via post at your nearest embassy – means less hassle when arriving in Vietnam, but more expensive.
Option 2: Get a visa on arrival, which requires a visa invitation letter issued by an authorised agent before you leave home – seems a little easier and is also cheaper, but you’ll need to queue up when landing to actually have your visa issued.
Option 3: Apply for an E-Visa online – this is only available to certain nationalities and does not permit you to enter Vietnam through all entry points, only selected ones.
Generally no visa is required for travel to Vietnam lasting up to 15 days only if you are from one of the following countries: UK, France, Spain, Germany and Italy.
Read more here: Vietnam Visa Exemption.
Travel insurance is essential for all of our trips and mandatory in Southeast Asia. Click here to organise a quote and policy for yourself.
Is Australia Gap Year package for anyone?
Yes, anyone can book this tour. Depending on your purpose to travel to Australia there are various visa options.
If you are planning to work in Australia, you are probably looking at getting a Working Holiday Visa or a temporary working visa. However, they are limited to certain nationalities and age groups. You must be aged between 18 – 31 years and be a passport holder of the UK, USA, Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Vietnam or Sweden. Check your eligibility here.
If you are not a passport holder of any of the above countries, you may still participate in our Oz Gap Year or Oz Adventure program, however, you cannot undertake any paid work whilst in Australia and we would replace the work and mail support components of the tour with additional fun activities for you.
How do you help me find jobs?
In Sydney:
Our Sydney Gap Year program includes Australia’s best job service for travellers; Travellers At Work! Upon arrival, our Work & Travel Experts will spend time with you to establish what kind of jobs you’re looking for and where and when you’d like to work. We’ll review your CV and help you adapt it to suit Aussie employers. We’ll provide you with access to the Travellers At Work job database, so you can begin applying for jobs at your earliest convenience. If at any time you need some guidance just swing by and have a one-on-one session with one of our TAW reps who can help you out in your job search!
In Melbourne:
You’ll be set up with everything you need for the life Down Under, including a bank account, tax-number, SIM Card, lifetime membership and a 1-on-1 advice session with the local travel team.
EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE
Finding your feet in the working world overseas can be tough so we make it easy and aim to get you employed as soon as possible by including:
– One on One employment meeting
– Lifetime Access to Employer Database
– CV Writing Assistance
– Interview question advice
– Weekly Job Update E-mails
– Farm work Help and Contacts.
What training courses will I need to apply for jobs in Australia?
In Australia, Health and Safety laws require that workers in certain professions (including Hospitality & Construction) undergo compulsory basic training and become certified to be eligible for employment. All hospitality staff must hold certification known as an RSA (Responsible Service of Alcohol) before being eligible for employment on licensed premises. You will also need RGS (Responsible Gambling Services) certification to work in premises with gambling facilities. To work on a construction site it is a requirement that you hold an OH&S General Induction Certificate or “White Card” as it’s commonly known. Your Australia Gap Year package in Sydney includes an RSA course (valid in QLD, NT, WA & SA), plus a bar skills course.
Do I need a visa?
Yes, you need a visa to enter Australia. The visa you choose will depend on the country you are from, how long you’d like to stay in Australia and whether you plan to work here. Here are your options:
3-month Tourist Visa
6-month Tourist Visa
12-month Working Holiday Visa – Ages 18 – 30 years old
For visa options, you can click here
How can I get a second year and third year Working Holiday Visa extension?
To obtain a 2nd year visa extension, you must complete three months (or 88 days) of work in a regional part of Australia. Our travel experts can assist you in your 2nd year/3rd year visa jobs search.
As of February 2019, we learned that the Australian Government plans to update the WHV rules to change the age, location, and work requirements, as well as to offer a third-year visa option. These changes are expected to be announced in the next few months. If you’re considering the Working Holiday Visa, be sure to check the Australian Home Office website, check your Working Holiday Visa eligibility or contact Grabatour Travel for the latest information, requirements, and restrictions before you apply.
What do I need to plan for my trip to Oz?
Travelling to Australia with Grabatour Travel is easy! Here’s what you need to do: Arrange a Working Holiday Visa if you’d like to work in Oz or a tourist visa if you’d like to travel only. Book your Grabatour Australia trips. Book your flights to Australia. Arrange a travel insurance policy by clicking here. Pack your bag, grab your passport & camera and jump on that plane!
How much money do I need to take with me?
You must have access to sufficient funds to support yourself for the initial stage of your holiday in Australia and you may be asked to show evidence of this upon arrival. We suggest arriving in Australia with an equivalent of at least AU$5000. The amount you need will depend upon your travel plans and the length of stay in Australia.
I’m travelling alone, how do I meet people?
Our Australia Gap Year is designed to help you make friends as soon as you arrive in Australia! Most people doing Oz Gap Year arrive alone and stay in touch with friends from the group for the rest of their trip. You’ll spend your first week having loads of fun and getting to know each other. After the week is up we can advise you on how to find a shared apartment in Sydney/Melbourne or continue travelling Australia together.
How far ahead should I book Australia trips?
We recommend that you book your Australia Gap Year package sooner than later as dates do book out, but no worries if you’re late to make plans, we can help you out with last-minute arrival arrangements.
What happen after I book the tour package?
After booking you’ll be contacted by a Work & Travel Expert at Grabatour Travel who you can email with your questions at any time. We’ll email you a confirmation of your booking with accommodation details and an airport shuttle bus voucher. All you have to do is book your flights and we’ll take care of the rest!
How does the Airport transfer work?
We’ll pre-arrange your Airport Shuttle and email you a voucher with details instructions and contact number in case you get stuck. Your driver will be waiting at the ‘Meeting Point’ in the Sydney/Melbourne Airport arrivals area, just outside the customs area. You’ll be dropped-off at your hostel in no time.
What happens if my arrival date changes or my flights are delayed?
No worries if your flights are delayed, just let us know. We will let the hostel know and arrange an adjusted airport pick up!
Plans can change and we’ll try to help as much as we can. Click here to read our full Booking Policy.
Do I need a travel insurance?
Yes, its very important. Travel insurance is not included in your package but can be arranged easily by clicking here.
Can you help me plan my trip around Australia?
Our Work & Travel Experts have been everywhere and seen everything in Australia, New Zealand, Fiji & Southeast Asia! We can plan or book everything for you and are happy to give you unbiased travel advice! No matter where you want to go and how you want to get there we’ll be able to help plan out the adventure of a lifetime for you!
What is Medicare and who is eligible?
Medicare is Australia’s governmental public health policy. If you are on a Working Holiday Visa you may be eligible to be covered by Medicare for the duration of your stay in Australia. Medicare is an add on, not a replacement for any other insurances you may have so you still need to have valid travel insurance! Citizens of the UK, Sweden, Finland, Norway, the Netherlands, Belgium, the Republic of Ireland and New Zealand are covered for the duration of their approved visa time in Australia. Citizens of Malta and Italy are covered by Medicare for a period of 6 months from their date of arrival in Australia. All other countries unfortunately are not eligible for Medicare support but as long as you have travel insurance you’ll be covered!
Can you help me to find a place to stay in Sydney or Melbourne?
Yes. We can help you find a great place to live around the city for the duration of your stay. There are flats, apartments, serviced apartments and houses available for rent in a variety of Sydney/Melbourne suburbs. Stay 4 weeks to 1 year spending an average of $175-$350 per person per week.
How can I transfer my money from home?
If you transfer money through your bank, you could end up losing hundreds of dollars in fees. We recommend TransferWise with some benefits below:
Save money on transfer fees
Get better exchange rates
Free to sign up and compare with your bank
Faster International Payments.
Tax Refunds in Australia
As a working holidaymaker in Australia you may be eligible to receive a tax refund. Our tax refund experts will help you with everything, so you’ll get the maximum refund possible. When you leave Australia, we can also help you claim your superannuation refund too.
Arrival Information/Early Arrival
It’s best to arrive on the actual start date. There are no activities on the first day, so you can arrive at any time. If you do arrive early we’ll still pick you up from the airport and will book you into the hostel from the day you arrive. Extra nights will be approx. £8 / $15 per night for a multi-share room and can be pre-paid with your agent or paid on arrival.
Visa
It’s important to check your visa requirements before entering Vietnam.
Some nationalities including the UK, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Norway can enter Vietnam without a visa for a maximum of 15 days.
Other nationalities or those wishing to stay longer than 15 days need a visa for Vietnam and have two options:
Option 1: Apply for a one month visa at a Vietnamese Consulate nearest to you before you arrive. This requires submitting an application form along with your passport, passport photos and paying a fee, which starts at $60USD for a single entry one month visa. Please allow at least 2 weeks processing time for this visa.
Option 2: Apply for a Visa Invitation Letter that is emailed to you, which you then print and bring with you to Vietnam. This letter allows you to fly into Vietnam and pick up your Visa on Arrival (VOA) at the airport. This VOA is for one month and is at a cost of $25USD for a single entry and $50USD for a multiple entry and needs to be paid in USD cash on arrival in Vietnam. There are a variety of websites that will provide you this Visa Invitation letter such as www.myvietnamvisa.com They will require you to submit an online application form and pay a fee of approx. $20USD. Please allow at least 4-5 working days processing time for the Visa Invitation Letter.
A VOA is not available to those arriving into Vietnam overland. If you plan on arriving overland you’ll need to go with Option 1.
Please note that while the above information is currently accurate, visa rules can often change so it’s always best to double-check before departing. If you’re unsure of your visa requirements or need any help just contact us.
Do many people travel alone?
Yes. Lots of people who go to Vietnam are travelling solo. But by doing Grabatour Vietnam you’ll be part of a group, so it’s a great way to meet people and make friends!
When is the best time to visit Vietnam?
It’s always a good time to go travelling in Vietnam. Most months of the year you will experience both sunshine and possibly some rain. It’s usually quite hot and humid most of the time, but it can occasionally get cold, especially in the north of Vietnam between November and February, so it’s always best to bring a couple of warm layers with your summer clothing.
How much spending money will I need?
All your activities, accommodation, transport and some meals are included with GRABATOUR Vietnam, so you’ll just need money for some meals, drinks, shopping and any onward travel. We recommend you bring at least £300 / $500 spending money.
How will I access money while I’m away?
It’s best to take a Visa or Master Card debit, credit or travel money card. There are ATM’s available throughout Vietnam so it’s easy to get access to cash. Some places accept credit card but not all.
Is there Wi-Fi throughout the trip?
All accommodations we stay at have free Wi-Fi available. Vietnam’s network quality is often lower than you’re used to but you can generally connect and do basic stuff.
What luggage do you recommend?
We always recommend travelling with a backpack and packing light! 10-20kgs of stuff should be plenty. It’s generally quite hot in Vietnam so dragging around a huge suitcase is not much fun. There is luggage storage at the airport or at some accommodations if needed.
What plugs do they use in Vietnam?
Vietnam generally uses a flat or round 2 pin socket the same as most of Europe. It’s always best to grab yourself an appropriate adaptor if needed before you go.
Where should I fly into/out of?
The tour begins in Hanoi so you would look to arrive at Noi Bai International Airport. However, the tour ends in the south in Ho Chi Minh City so ideally you would look to fly out of HCMC International Airport! Sometimes though it is cheaper to do a return ticket in and out of Hanoi so if that’s the case just give yourself an extra day at the end of the tour and you can jump on an internal flight up to Hanoi to catch your flight home.
When are tour dates released?
Generally, our tour dates for Grabatour Vietnam run every 2/3 weeks on Mondays throughout the year with a short break in February and over New Year. They are released approximately 11 months in advance, so for plans far in the future just be sure to check in with us around then to see the exact dates.
Can anyone book this tour?
Grabatour Vietnam is limited to people aged between 18 – 39 years of age. We welcome people from any country. We accommodate solo travellers, couples as well as small groups of mates.
Is Vietnam a safe place to visit?
Vietnam is a safe place to visit, as long as you follow some basic health and safety guidelines and have respect for the local people and culture. The most common dangers in Vietnam are sunburn, dehydration and hangovers, however travelling in a group with Grabatour Vietnam makes it even safer! Our tour guides have travelled extensively, and will share their experience, local knowledge hangover-cures with you.
Do I need travel insurance?
Travel Insurance for Vietnam is compulsory to join Grabatour Vietnam. Your Group Leader will ask to see proof of your cover before your trip begins. You can organise a quote and policy for yourself here: Travel Insurance.
What is the process after I book Grabatour Vietnam?
After booking you’ll be contacted by the reservations team, who you can email with your questions at any time. We’ll email you a confirmation of your booking and then all you have to do is arrange travel insurance, visa and your flight to Vietnam – we’ll take care of the rest! Two weeks before your start date we’ll also send out the “Grabatour Vietnam Brochure” file with heaps more info for you!
What happens if my flights are delayed?
No worries, if your flights are delayed just email us or give us a ring/email us and we’ll adjust your booking.
Do I need vaccinations?
Nobody wants a portion of food or a bite from a mosquito to ruin the trip of a lifetime … so plan ahead and get your vaccinations sorted before you make the trip. This is a rough guide to want you have to plan against with Vietnam in mind and some of the vaccinations listed are taken care of during childhood so check with your GP before you go and book anything, just to make sure you need the jabs!
Hepatitis A and B – two separate diseases with a vaccination that can be taken together or separately. Both diseases are pretty awful so tick this one off!
Typhoid – highly recommended and transmitted by dodgy food or water. Get it and forget about it!
Tetanus, Pertussis & Diphtheria – It’s best to have an updated tetanus jab and the others come along with the package.
Measles Mumps and Rubella – one of the childhood immunisations that you might not need so check your immunisation record with your GP.
Flu – get a flu shot if you think it’s necessary or ask your doctor for more information.
Malaria – inland Vietnam has malaria whilst the coast doesn’t.
There are a couple more that can be recommended but aren’t essential so we’ll say it again – check with your GP!
Ideally, you should organise all this plus a trip to your GP (General Pratitioner) 6 to 8 weeks before your departure. Some vaccination need 2 or more shots.
Arrival Information/Early Arrival
It’s best to arrive on the actual start date. There are no activities on the first day, so you can arrive at any time. If you do arrive early we’ll still pick you up from the airport and will book you into the hostel from the day you arrive. Extra nights will be approx. £25 / $45AUD per night for a twin room and can be pre-paid with your agent or paid on arrival.
Visa
Most nationalities including the UK, Europe, Australia, NZ, Canada, USA, Scandinavia and Brazil will usually receive a 30-day visa exemption on arrival for free.
If you would like a longer tourist visa or are not eligible for the visa exemption you can apply for a visa at your nearest Thai consulate prior to entering Thailand. If you’re unsure of your visa requirements or need any help just contact us on our website.
Do many people travel alone?
Yes. Lots of people who go to Thailand are travelling solo. But by doing Thailand adventures you’ll be part of a group, so it’s a great way to meet people and make friends!
Can anyone book our Thailand adventures?
Our Thailand adventures are limited to people aged between 18 – 39 years of age. We welcome people from any country. We accommodate solo travelers, couples as well as small groups of mates.
When is the best time to visit Thailand?
It’s always a good time to go travelling in Thailand. Most months of the year you will experience both sunshine and possibly some rain. It’s usually quite hot and humid most of the time, There is a slightly higher chance of rain around October and November, however it usually only rains for an hour or so which can be a nice relief from the heat.
How much spending money will I need?
All your activities, accommodation, transport and some meals are included with Grabatour Thailand, so you’ll just need money for some meals, drinks, shopping and any onward travel. We recommend you bring at least £300 / $500 spending money.
How will I access money while I’m away?
It’s best to take a Visa or Master Card debit, credit or travel money card. There are ATM’s available throughout Thailand so it’s easy to get access to cash. Some places accept credit card but not all.
Is there Wi-Fi throughout the trip?
All accommodations we stay at have free Wi-Fi available. Thailand’s network quality is often lower than you’re used to but you can generally connect and do basic stuff.
What luggage do you recommend?
We always recommend travelling with a backpack and packing light! 10-20kgs of stuff should be plenty. It’s generally quite hot in Thailand so dragging around a huge suitcase is not much fun. There is luggage storage at the airport or at some accommodations if needed.
What plugs do they use in Thailand?
Thailand generally uses a flat or round 2 pin socket the same as most of Europe. It’s always best to grab yourself an appropriate adaptor if needed before you go.
Where should I fly into/out of?
The tour begins in Bangkok so you would look to arrive at either of the two International Airports, Don Mueng or BKK. BKK is the new one and is a little closer to the city but arriving at either one is fine. Flights are generally cheaper if you were to get a return flight from Bangkok, you would just have to make your way back to Bangkok from Koh Phangan once the tour is over!
When are tour dates released?
Generally, our tour dates for Thailand adventures run on every second Monday apart from a short break over the holiday period in December. The dates are released approximately 20 months in advance, so for plans far in the future just be sure to check in with us around then to see the exact dates.
Do I need travel insurance?
Travel Insurance is compulsory to join our adventures in Thailand. Your Group Leader will ask to see proof of your cover before your trip begins. You can organise a quote and policy for yourself here.
What is the process after I book a trip in Thailand?
After booking you’ll be contacted by the reservations team, who you can email with your questions at any time. We’ll email you a confirmation of your booking and then all you have to do is arrange travel insurance, visa and your flight to Thailand – we’ll take care of the rest! Before your start date we’ll also send out the digital Grabatour Brochure with heaps more info for you!
What happens if my flights are delayed?
No worries if your flights are delayed, just email us or give us a ring. We will let the guest house know and arrange an adjusted airport pick up!
Things can change and we’ll do our best to help. Check out our full Booking Policy.
Do I need vaccinations?
Your Tour Leaders will do their best to keep you safe and healthy in Thailand. However, one dodgy mosquito bite or a bad case of the runs could ruin your holiday (and your pulling-potential!), so it pays to take a few sensible precautions. The following is a rough guide for vaccinations in Thailand, so we suggest seeing a GP with expertise in travel medicine who can review your individual health issues.
Don’t forget to ask for numbing cream if you’re worried about pain from the injection.
You are strongly recommended to have Hepatitis A vaccine (Hep-A sucks big-time!)
You may also need Typhoid vaccination (Good for nasty stomach bugs)
Rabies pre-exposure vaccination may be an option, but not essential
Malaria isn’t common the areas we visit, but stock-up on bug-spray in Bangkok as there are other diseases such as Dengue that are more common.
Ideally you should organise all this about 4-6 weeks before departure, but it is never too late.
Where does the trip start and finish?
Sure! Our partners at Gap Year Travel can help you organise your flights – contact us here.
Find the best insurance policy for your Bali adventure with the help of our recommended travel insurance provider.
How do I book Bali Adventure?
Booking is easy! Select your chosen departure date, add-on option, enter your details and we’ll send you a booking confirmation as well as useful information about your tour.
Got a travel date in mind but not ready to pay in full? Choose to pay a 20% deposit to secure a spot on your chosen departure date. Check out our Booking Policy.